It’s normal to look ahead this time of year. Whether that means baking all the cookies or prepping for a BIG celebratory meal, it’s perfectly normal to have a seemingly endless to do list. But I want to challenge us (especially, those of us who hustle for tomorrow like it may never come) to focus on spending this holiday season in the right now. In the who-cares-if-you-don't-make-five-different-kinds-of-cookies-RIGHT NOW. You never know what tomorrow will bring and it won’t be the number of presents we remember.

My husband saw this sweet huggle (that's the word my son made up for a snuggle AND a hug together) over Thanksgiving weekend and I'm so glad he thought to photograph this moment with my son. THIS is what matters. They're only little once! Enjoy all the huggles!

And I know the holiday season is not always filled with joy. It might shine a light on loved ones lost or relationships that are fractured or strained. I see you and I’m sending you a virtual hug. I’ve lost a number of loved ones in the last few years right around the holidays. I’ve been doing my best to focus on the joyful memories with them, what made our time together special, what reminds me of them — making their recipes, singing carols, decorating….

I’ve been sharing these joyful memories with my son and asked what would make the season special for him. He said he'd like to make ornaments with me like I used to make with my late Grandma Victoria (hence the Lindsey Victoria — I cherish my middle name because it was hers). So that is exactly what we’re doing. It makes me think of her and I love creating a new tradition with my son making meaningful memories for him.

We will also be baking together, listening to tons of holiday music, reading tons of stories, thinking up acts of kindness, encouraging him, and reminding us, to see beyond ourselves and help others who aren’t as fortunate as we are.

Tell me, what are you most looking forward to being fully present for this season? Are there traditions that you share with your loved ones that make you think about what matters? If you’d be so kind, I’d love for you to share some in the comments.

From my family to yours I wish you a holiday season filled with love, good health and the gift of creating memories through traditions and time together.

Lindsey Turner is located in Litchfield, Connecticut and serves the surrounding areas in Connecticut and New York City.

She regularly travels to Brooklyn, Manhattan, Long Island City and the surrounding areas. Among her favorite NYC neighborhoods are Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Williamsburg, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Midtown, Chelsea, Murray Hill, Greenwich Village and Tribeca. She is also available for travel worldwide.